Apparatus for stretching laundered articles for drying



March 30 1926.

A. O. SCHRAMM APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING LAUNDERED ARTICLES FOR DRYING 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001:. l7

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Wm. BY

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ATTORNEY March 30 1926.

A. O. SCHRAMM v APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING LAUNDERED ARTICLES FOR DRYING v I :l921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Filed Oct. 17

IN VEN TOR.

A TTORN E Y" March 30 1926.

A. O. SCHRAMM APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING LAUNDERED ARTICLES FOR DRYING 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

. wN LN N NUNKNNNUN Filed Oct. 17,

[N VEN TOR. B M

TTORNEY A. O. SCHRAMM APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING LAUNDERED ARTICLES FOR DRYING March so, 1925. 1,578,550

Filed Oct. 17, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 'llllllllllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllllllliill IIIIIHIIHIIIIHIIHIIIIIII:

Illlll 2 11g INVENTOR.

W AT'TORNEY'Z Patented Mar. 30, 1926.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALBERT: 0. SCHRAMM, OF LOS AITGEILES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR 'IO SCHBAMM MANU- FACTURING COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING LAUNDERED ARTICLES FOR DRYING.

Application filed October 17, 1921.. Serial No. 08,240.

held in stretched condition during the dry-' ing thereof to restore the original outlines thereof and cause the same to be evenly and smoothly dried.

The present invention constitutes an improvement upon or departure from inventions of this general nature disclosed and claimed in other applications for Letters Patent filed by me March 1, 1920, Serial 1 Number 362,421, and December 21, 1920, Serial Number 432,292, both for improvements in apparatus for stretching laundered articles for drying.

In accordance with the invention and in the preferred practice thereof, I provide a stretcher frame adapted to receive a plurality of Washed articles at each face thereof,

independently adjustable means'for holding each article being preferably provided.

In certain aspects, the invention contemplates the provision of novel stretcher ap paratus details, such as frame and mounting structure, positive means of adjustment for hoth ends of an adjustable frame member, means for securing such member in any of its positions ofv adjustment, and furthen like novel details of construction and organization, as will hereinafter be set forth. r 'A further object of the invention isto produce stretching apparatus for fiat washed articles, which will be relatively simple and inexpensive in construction and organization, when its advantages, such as positive and speedy adjustment of washed articles thereto, durability, freedom from liability to get out of order or repair, and general superiority in service are considered.

lVith the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel and useful provision,-formation, combination, association and relative arrangement of parts, members and features, all as hereinafter described, shown in the drawings, and finally pointed out in claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical face view of stretching apparatus constructed and organized to embody the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged inside face view of one of the movable frame memhers showing portions of means for causing the simultaneous advance of both ends of such member as well as showing a means for holding or looking the same in any of its positions of adjustment;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail view taken on the line a m Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the appendedarrows;

Fig. A; is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of the showing of the locking or securing means shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the locking or securing means in inoperative position to permit adjustment of the adjustable frame member;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary inside face view of the fixed longitudinal main frame member illustrating adjustment means features;

the view being taken looking in the direction of the arrow 6, Fig. 1; v

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view. taken on the line w w Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the appended arrows; I i

. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of one of the faces of the fixed longitudinal frame memher, the view being taken looking in the direction of the arrow 8 near Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary front face view of one of the adjustable longitudinally ranging frame members shown in" Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is an'e'n'd view showing the preferred construction of the member shown in Fig. 9; 4

Fig. 11 is an=edge view of the member shown in detail in Figs. 9 and 10, the view being taken looking in the direction of the arrow 11, Fig. 1; v

Fig. 12 is an end view of a spring clip or adjustment means;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the clip shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view taken on the lme ac -m Fig. 1,. and looking in the direction of the appended arrows, parts heing omitted for clearness of illustration;

ig. 15 is an enlargcd'view of a portion 8 of the showing in Fig. 1, showing details of a transverse a j ustable member;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged front face view of one of the transverse adjustable frame members; Y

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary isometri c'view'v arrow 19 near Fig. 18';

Fig. 20 is a partial sectional detail view taken on the line m -00 Fig. 1, and looking the direction of the appended arrows;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but illustrating the construction of a modified form of looking or securing means;

Fig. 22 1s a transverse sectional detail View of a modified form of adjustable frame member; and

-Fig. 23 is a bottom planview of the member shown in Fig. 22, the same being shown in this figure in detached position.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and '20 thereof, A

designates a stretcherframe, -B designates means for carrying the frame A, C desig- 7 nates a-track for the carrying means B, and

D designates guide means for the lower tion of the carrying means B.

, The frame A is shown as comprising a longitudinal side edge member 24 having end members 25 and 26 fixed thereto and extending therefrom at'right angles, an intermediate member 27 fixed thereto at one of its ends and extending therefrom in parallel relation to the end members 25 and 26, adjustable members 28 and 29 ex tending from the end member 25 to the intermediate member 27, and adjustable members 30 and 31 extending from the end member 26 to the intermediate member 27. The outward or front faces, at both faces of the frame A,

por-

of the members 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 and 31,.

preferably have strips of carding cloth 32 applied thereto,-the points of the carding cloth on each strip being outwardly directed; such carding cloth comprises a body por tion and a plurality of obliquely directed points constituting article-engaging means 9 with the frame Atohold'the inner edges of articles placed on. the frame for drying,

The means a is shown as a rod 33 having a reduced end 33 at its one end, such reduced end being receivedin one of a series of orifices or apertures 34 provided in the upstanding-flange 34 of an angle member 34 one, of which is provided at each of the two faces of the frame on the member 24.

The opposite end of the rod is received be tween two upstanding opposed springv t0ngues35' of a device 35 adapted to be adjustably applied .to amember' 28,29, 30 or 31 as by inserting the foot 35 which has a head thereon. through. any one of a series of elliptical apertures 36-; each member 28, 29,30 and 31 is provided with such a series of elliptical a rtures ina raised strip spaced slightly a owe the main bodyof the respective member; suchmain body,-

1n each case,,may be conveniently formed from a suitable length of channel section metal which will" provide the necessary strength with minimum weight. The device 35 is turned aquarter turn after the foot thereofhas been passed through the respective elliptical aperture, so to hold the respective device or spring clip in the proper position of adjustment along the respectivemember to correspond with the aperture in which the reduced end of the rod is placed. The rod may be passed through the casing of a lace curtain or like object, so to hold one end or edge thereof, the remaining edges being held by the carding cloth points.

The means a is shown as a member 37 of channel cross section having a strip of carding cloth applied thereto, and as having a pair of projections 37 at its oneend, and as having a slidable adjustment device 38 at or nearits other end. An embodiment of the means a may be employed for hold-' ing the inner edge of an article ,to be stretched which has no casing to receive the rod 33. The points or projections 37 may be entered into any suitable pair of the apertures 34', the adjustable device 38 moved along the. channel member to register. with the apertures 36.0f a member 28, 29.

30 or 31, a laterally extending tongue 38 of l lll 1 before described, means I) for causing the simultaneous advance of both ends of the respective member, and releasable pieans b for normally holding such member in any of its positions of adjustment. The means I) may comprise a shaft 39 journalled as at 40 in the channel of the respective member, a pinion or gear 41 secured to each end of the shaft 39, and racks 42 having teeth 43 with which the corresponding gears mesh,

the racks 42 being mounted at the corre-' sponding inner faces of the parallel members 25, 26 and 27 Each releasable locking means 6 may comprise an intermediate gear 43'0n the shaft 39, a fixed rack 44 mounted as at 44' in the channel of the respective member, and a cam member 45 hinged at one end as at 45" to the respective member and having an elongated aperture 45 through which the shaft 39 passes, a contractible spring 46 secured at its one end 46 to the member and secured at its other end to the outer end ofthe cam member 45 so to normally hold the shaft with the gear 43 in mesh with the rack 44; for releasing the shaft from its locking means, I preferably provide a pair of cords 47 each having one end secured to the end of the cam member as at 47 and having its opposite end secured to a releasing lever 48, one end of which is pivotally mounted as at 48 in each end of the respective member. The spring 46 causes the cam member to normally deflect or bend the shaft 39 so to hold the locking gear and rack in mesh; when, however, an operator grasps one or both of the two levers 48 and moves the same outwardly to draw the cam member out of contact with the shaft 39, the shaft may return, due to its inherent springiness, to its true axis of rotation, the locking gear being then out of mesh with its rack, and the respective member 28, 29, 30 and 31 moved to and fro with respect to the fixed side edge member 24 of theframe A, the member being moved being always maintained in parallel relation to the side edge member 24 due to the simultaneous advance of both ends of the moving member by the shaft, gear and rack devices. Upon release of the lever or levers the shaft is immediately moved into its normally locked position by the cam member and spring mechanism.

Means for holding the frame in horizontal 'or article-receiving position, with either of the two faces thereof upwardly presented, I

may comprise a chain 50 having its one end secured to the carrier frame as at 50 and having 1ts other end secured to the memher 25 of the frame A, as at 50". Substitute means, to be used under certain conditions of frame adjustment, may comprise a rod 51 having its one end loosely pivotally mounted on the carrier frame as at 51", and having its other end provided with an inturned finger 52" adapted to be inserted in a suitable aperture 53 in the side member 26 of the frame A.

The frame A is shown as rotatably mounted inits carrier by means of a shaft 54 passed through suitable apertures at 54 in the frame members 25 and 26 and having its ends 54 rotatably journalled in the carrier or carrying means B.

v The carrier B is shown as comprising a framework having an upper horizontal member 55, depending end members 56 and 57 secured'thereto, and rollers 58 mounted upon the member 55 and adapted to cooperate with atrack element. Journal bearings are provided in the carrier frame at 59 and 60, to receive the journals 54 at the ends of the shaft 54 of the frame A. i

The frame members 25, 26 and 27 may be formed with removable extensions 25, 26 and 27, respectively, one mode of forming such extensions being illustrated in detail in Fig. 17. This figure also well illustrates the preferred formation and arrangement of the two-faced racks 42 which are applied to the inner edges of the members 25 and 26 and to the edges 27 and 27 of the intermediate member 27. The extensions each preferably comprise a suitable length of channel section metal, or of other cross section to match the corresponding member, the extension 25 of the member 25 being shown in this figure as having an inside joining member 25 riveted thereto and projecting therefrom into the interior of the member 25 at the end thereof, so forming a telescopic joint. The extensions may all be removed when the frame is to be used for stretching articles of ordinary size and may be readily replaced when large articles are to be placed on the frame; the extensions are provided with extensions of the racks 42 so that the adjustable members 28, 29, 30 and 31, or any of the same may be n'ioved out upon such extensions in the manner in which such members are moved upon the parallel frame members supporting such extensions.

In Fig. 20 one end of the member 28 is shown, the member being shown as cut away at 28 to accommodate and clear the respective rack 42, and as provided with a guide member 28" underlying the respective rack 42, the member being guided by the rackbearing channel member which is shown as applied in back to back relation to the main channel member to which the rack-bearing channel member is affixed. As all of the members 28, 29, 30 and 31 may be formed at both of their ends similarly to the formation illustrated in this figure, and as the racks 42 are provided at each face of the frame, and so in each of the four article-receiving sections thereof, such members may be indej pendcntly adjusted, and four'articles, each.

of which may be of a different size mav be secured to the frame at one loading thereof; or four articles of 1 the same size structed. In.thi s;figure a [main member is indicated by 61i'fand an extension 62 is hinged thereto as. at 63; the member 61 is cut away at'61flto accommodate the hinged extension 62when'the same is in retracted position.- j a In Fig, 21, I have shown a's'lightly modified form of locking means for the shafts 39. The usual gear 43 is provided upon a shaft 39, but instead of moving or deflecting the shaft itself, a movableflock bolt 43' is normally urged into the teeth 'of'the gear 43 by a compression spring 43 accommodated in ahousing 43 in which the bolt 43' is slidably mounted; the housing is secured to amember 28, 29, 30 or 31, and is slotted as at 43 to accommodate the movement of a pin 43 which projects therethrough from the bolt 43, and a pair of wires or cords 43 pass over pulleys 43, each to one of the control levers. Upon movement of the levers to pull the bolt out of engagement with its gear, through the cords 43", the corresponding frame member may be moved to the desired posit-ion of adjustment.

In Figs. 22 and 23, I have shown a moditied form ofadpistable frame member or article holding means, to be employed in substitution for either the means a or the means a hereinbefore described. In this form of the invention a channel member 63 is provided with a strip of carding cloth not shown in the channel thereof, and with spring clips at 65 and 66. Two spring clips 65 are shown as applied to the channel member 63 at its under side or face. These spring clips are each attached to the member 63 only at their inner ends, the outwardly directed free ends thereof being bent upwardly to form a detent 65. The spring clips 66 are shown as two in number and as each having one end 66 attached to the under side of a slidable member 66 formed to slide upon the channel member 63 and as each having its free end formed with a detent 66. The frame members 67 and 68 to which the channel member 63 is'to be ap plied are shown as of angular formation, one web of each such member 67 and 68 being provided with a series of springclip-receiving apertures 67 and 68', respectively. The

free ends of the clips are passed through the respective apertures 67 and 68. and the channel member 63 ish eld in plaeby the springs and the detents thereof clutching the webs of the frame members 67 and 68 upon which the channel member 63 lies. i The track 0 is shown as a rail suitabl supported above the carrier means B and adapted to receive the rollers of the carrier frame, and such track may lead from a suitable loading or unloading station to the in .terior of a dry kilnfior other suitable place for the drying of the washed articles on the frame-A. i

The guide means D may comprise a floor rail below the railC, the lower end of the carrier frame being adapted for co-action therewith, soroviding for stability, especially during t 1e frame loading and unloading operations when the frame A is first moved soas to present one face upwardly and next to present the" opposite face upwardly and then to vertical position in which position it may be held by a suitable latch cl acting between the carrier frame and the frame A. The chain permits movement of the frame to these positions and checks excessive movement when the frame is moved to present either face upwardly, and so may constitue means for holding the frame A in either of its article-receiving positions. The latch device d constitutes means for holding the frame in vertical position in its carrier.

Having thus disclosed my invention, I- claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a pair of spaced end members, a rack in connection with the inner side of each of said end members, a rigid side member in connection with said end members, a movable side-member, a rotary shaft supported by said movable side member, pinions on said shaft meshing with said racks, a locking element on said movable member, a part on said shaft to engage said locking element, and means carried by said movable side member forbending said shaft against rotation independently of said pinions.

2. A stretcher frame of the character described, comprising a'pair of spaced end members, a rigid side member in connection rack and means for bending said shaft to engage said last named pinion with said. rigid rack.

3. A stretcher frame comprising apair of spaced fabric engaging end members, a fabric engaging side member rigid with said end members, a rack rigid with each of said end members, a pair of racks rigid with said side member and extending parallel with said first named racks, a pair of movable fabric engaging side members movable into and out of alinement with each other, shafts supported by said movable side members, pinions on said shafts meshing .respectively with said first named and said second named racks, means for locking said shafts against rotation, an additional fabric engaging member connected with said side member and-with one of said movable mem-' bers, and means for attaching an edge of a fabric to each of said members.

4. A stretcher frame of the character described, comprising end members, a side member rigidly connecting said end members, a rack rigid withthe inner side of each of said end members, a channel member, a shaft rotative in the channel of said channel member, pinions on said shaft meshing with said racks, an additional pinion on said shaft, a device wholly supported by said channel member engageable with said additional pinion to lock said shaft against rotation, and means supported by said channel member independently of said device for releasing said device to permit said shaft to rotate.

5. A stretcher frame of the character described, comprising .a fabric engaging end member, a rack rigid with said end member, a fabric engaging side member .ex-

tending at right angles from said end mem ber, a rack extending from said side member parallel with said first named rack, a fabric engaging channel member parallel With said side member, a shaft rotative in said channel member, pinions on said shaft meshing with said racks, an-additional pinion on said shaft, a device supported by said channel member engaging said pinion to lock said shaft against rotation, a lever supported by said channel member independently of said device controlling engagement of said device and said pinion, an additional fabric enga ing member connected with said side mem er and with said channel member parallel with said end member, and means in connection with each of said members for engaging a fabric.

' In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

' ALBERT O. SCI-IRAMM. 

